A Gardena man who pleaded guilty for his role in a violent terrorist plot against U.S. military and Jewish targets was sentenced today to 12 1/2 years in federal prison.

Gregory Patterson, 24, issued a tearful apology at the Santa Ana federal courthouse to all citizens, especially the Jewish and Muslim communities, as well as the government and his family for what he called his “foolishness, misguidance or cowardly actions.”

Patterson pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to wage war on the United States and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of committing a violent crime.

Patterson and Levar Washington were arrested three years ago by the Torrance Police Department in connection to a string of gas station robberies in the South Bay and Orange County.

The two were soon linked, by writings found at their South Los Angeles apartment, to a prison-hatched terrorist cell conceived by inmate Kevin James.

A “Modes of Attack” document detailed their targets, including El Al Airlines at Los Angeles International Airport, a military base in Manhattan Beach and Jewish synagogues on the High Holy Days.

Washington was sentenced last month to 22 years in prison. James is scheduled to be sentenced in February to a similar term as Washington. The case against a fourth man was halted because he was found mentally unfit.

Federal Judge Cormac Carney, the federal probation department, prosecutors and Patterson’s attorney agreed that Patterson should receive less time because he was less culpable, has no criminal history and accepted responsibility early.